The Y Files

How are fireworks made? I want to know the real details - stuff about the individual chemicals and how they're put together. That's what I was telling myself after watching a TV show about fireworks the other night. Maybe you've got some questions of your own, too.

In the United States, the Fourth of July is a celebration of our independence. It's also a day when Americans watch loud, colorful fireworks displays all across the land. So, to get a head start on the festivities, I tuned-in to that TV show about pyrotechnics – how fireworks are made and where the technology is today. The history portion talked about how the technology behind fireworks used to be a secret, and was once considered to be magical and powerful. The show went on to summarize how fireworks were made, but offered no real details.

That's where this blog entry comes in. But be careful. Check your state and local laws before applying anything about fireworks that you learn on the Web. Plus, you might want to think about how you could wind up on some watch list for the FBI. You think I'm kidding, right?

The Engineer's Perspective

As an engineer, I want to know how things work. I'm not satisfied with some 10-mile high view like you get on a TV show. So, using the Internet, I discovered that fireworks are made by large companies with closely-guarded formulas, and by small groups or individual hobbyists with published or private recipes. There are many large fireworks manufacturers, often with Italian names such as Zambelli, Grucci, and Bartolotta. On the hobbyist side, there is a whole subculture dedicated to the art of making fireworks. One leading group, Pyrotechnics Guild International, consists of members and clubs from all over the country. If you really wanted to learn the art, you could join one of these groups and learn from some knowledgeable people.

Alternatively, you could read some books or watch some videos on the topic. Books such as the "Complete Art of Firework-Making" by Thomas Kentish, "Fireworks: The Art, Science and Technique" by Takeo Shimizu, and "Introductory Practical Pyrotechnics" by Tom Perigin seem to be popular. There are also many videos with demonstrations of how to build pyrotechnic devices. If you really get into it, you may want to keep up on the latest technologies and goings-on. You could even subscribe to a fireworks publication such as American Fireworks News.

One thing I learned in my research is that both hobbyists and large companies build fireworks by hand since machines can generate sparks and be dangerous. So, before you continue on to Part 2, remember two things: be careful, and check your state and local laws. (My editor made me say that, but I don't want you to get hurt either.)

Editor's Note: Part 2 of this two-part series will run tomorrow, right here on CR4.